Posted on 11/22/2006 6:13:43 AM PST by Hydroshock
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Almost a third of Americans plan to spend less on the holidays this year, mainly because they need to use their money for daily expenses, according to a survey released Tuesday.
The Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association found 32 percent of shoppers want to spend less than they did during the 2005 holidays. About half of the survey's roughly 1,000 respondents said they would like to spend about the same. Only 15 percent intended to spend more.
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Rising energy costs are forcing many to deck the halls more sparsely this year, the report found, but general household expenses and tight family finances are also dragging down holiday budgets. More than 25 percent in the survey said the prices of gifts were simply too high.
But shoppers do not always follow through on their spending plans, said CUNA's chief economist Bill Hampel.
"Our experience with this survey is consumers tend to say they will spend less than they actually do, and our overall survey findings are slightly weaker than last year," he said in a statement. "This suggests many households will feel financially 'hung over' in a couple of months unless they do something about it now
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
I blame nancy Pelosi and her extremeist policies.
Almost a third of Americans plan to spend less on the holidays this year, mainly because they need to use their money for daily expenses
I say that every year, and every year I spend more than the last
mainly because they need to use their money to pay Taxes
Dims "won" power and thus the housing bubble simply cannot burst and therefore folks are rolling in the dough since Nov. 7.
Exactly. Why, just this morning, my flying unicorn came in with a diamond-studded bag of unmarked twenties and fifties.
You maybe partly right, my property taxes are up $300 from last year in TX. The repsin the legislature have been giving lib service to relief for years abut have done nothing.
This is a FEMA issue. It's a real tragedy when a person does not have enough Christmas money to take part in gift giving traditions. A $2500.00 gift card to every eligible citizen would be nice. Never mind that the lap-dancing elves would LOVE to be on the receiving end of joy.
I prefer improperly tipping as I see fit. My shopping will be finished before the first. With the exception of charity and food stuff my goal is not to shop in Dec.
I'm spending less this year...because I have to save up for when the Democrats raise taxes. *spit*
We put quite a bit into the Christmas fund this year. When it becomes available to us, we are paying bills. Gifts will be home made. It is going to be family time instead of spending time.
My wife and I finished the last of our shopping in early September. We had half done then hit the outlet malls in San Marcos. I just have on more to buy, my friend and hunting buddy Joe, it once again is time for the Yulltide exchange of the bourbon bottles.
However, I will spend a great deal on Christmas shopping.
>>mainly because they need to use their money to pay Taxes<<
Y'know, about two years ago some friends and I were talking about inflation, and about how prices really had not gone up in quite a while. As the conversation continued and more aspects of this were discussed, we slowly realized that their HAS BEEN inflation. It has been in taxes and fees.
Interesting note: a building permit in Seattle for a single home today costs around $26,000. Back in 1969 my dad got a building permit in Seattle to build his own five bedroom home. It cost $7.
This is not inflation. It is robbery.
You are exactly right.
I usually buy all year but got behind in 05. I'm about back on track. I'll be finished by October next year. I need to go to the outlet mall though. We have a new one here but it just isn't the same:')
Hydroschlock: Throwing Cold Water on Christmas since May 18, 2006. :)
-Eric
That's no lie.
Confusing, Captain--moose ate your cheese, not your sister.
You get a bump!!!!
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